insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 88

HEALTH+WELLNESS

AN OVERVIEW OF

Breast
Reconstruction
MR MARC PACIFICO,
CONSULTANT PLASTIC
SURGEON AT NUFFIELD
HEALTH TUNBRIDGE WELLS
HOSPITAL, IS REGULARLY
INVOLVED IN PLASTIC
SURGERY OPEARTIONS TO
RECONSTRUCT BREASTS
FOLLOWING TREATMENT FOR
BREAST CANCER. IN THIS
ARTICE, HE OUTLINES SOME
OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

There are many possibilities when considering breast reconstruction to
replace the whole, or part of a breast that has been removed for
cancer-related reasons. Timings may vary, and a breast may be
reconstructed at the same time as the mastectomy operation or may
alternatively be done at a later date some time after the mastectomy.
Broadly speaking, the reconstruction can be performed using only the
patient's own tissue (skin, fat and occasionally muscle) or else a breast
implant and possibly other supportive materials may be used.
Unfortunately there is no “perfect” breast reconstruction, and so each
woman needs to be taken as an individual, with the pros and cons of
the different options discussed with her, in order to reach the best
decision for her. No matter what technique is chosen, it is common for
two or three operations to be needed to complete the breast
reconstruction journey: the first is to make the breast "mound", the
second to make any adjustments (often to the other breast for
symmetry) and the third is to reconstruct a nipple.

If the complexity of the above procedure deters someone from this
route, or the patient is not suitable for other reasons, implant-based
reconstructions are alternatives. These may also involve the use of a
supportive hammock of biological (animal-derived) or synthetic
(manufactured) material, a technique that has significantly improved
outcomes with implant-based techniques in recent years.
Finally, a common technique is the use of tissue from the back, where a
muscle and piece of skin attached to the muscle is used in combination
with an implant.
The above is only a short overview of the common options available.
What is important is that any woman considering breast reconstruction
is given the choice of all the FV6